Yasin Malik shifted to Delhi's Tihar Jail ahead of NIA questioning today

Separatist and Jammu and Kashmir Liberation Front chairman Yasin Malik, who was until last night under lodged in the Kot Bhalwal Jail in Jammu was shifted to the Tihar Jail in Delhi ahead of his hearing in a special court of the National Investigative Agency (NIA) on Wednesday. The NIA secured his production remand in connection with a 'case related to funding of separatists and militant groups in Jammu and Kashmir', officials said. The JKLF chairman will be facing questions related to funding of his organisation from the National Investigation Agency.

Malik is the prime accused in the killing of five Indian Air Force personnel in Srinagar on January 25, 1990 and the kidnapping of the daughter of former Jammu and Kashmir chief minister Mufti Mohammad Sayeed, Dr Rubiya Sayeed on December 8, 1989.

Malik was detained by the Jammu and Kashmir police from his residence in Srinagar on February 22 and was shifted to the Kothibagh police station. The detention came two days after the state administration said the security of 18 separatist, including Malik, would be withdrawn. The JKLF leader on Thursday termed the announcement a "lie".

While Malik said he had never received any protection from the state, hardline Hurriyat Conference termed the reports about the withdrawal of security of its chairman Syed Ali Shah Geelani "ridiculous".

"I have had no security with me for the last 30 years. So, when there was no security, what withdrawal are they talking about? This is utter dishonesty on part of the government" Malik told reporters.